Which is the fastest VPN?

NordVPN with NordLynx protocol is the fastest VPN we tested, retaining 95% of base speed (890 Mbps on a 940 Mbps connection). Surfshark with WireGuard is second at 86% (810 Mbps). Both are fast enough for 4K streaming and competitive gaming.

Does WireGuard make a VPN faster?

Yes. WireGuard is significantly faster than older protocols like OpenVPN. In our tests, WireGuard-based VPNs retained 69-95% of base speed, while OpenVPN-based VPNs retained only 40-45%. WireGuard achieves this through a simpler codebase and more efficient cryptographic primitives.

data5 min read

VPN Speed Comparison 2025: Benchmark Results.

Real-world VPN speed test results comparing NordVPN, Surfshark, Norton, Avast, and AVG. Download, upload, and latency benchmarks.

Published: 2025-04-01 | Updated: 2025-04-08

Test Methodology

Speed tests were conducted on a 1 Gbps fiber connection from Frankfurt, Germany. Each VPN was tested on its fastest protocol (WireGuard/NordLynx) connecting to the nearest server. Tests measure: download speed (Mbps), upload speed (Mbps), and latency/ping (ms). Each measurement is the average of 5 consecutive tests. Base speed without VPN: 940 Mbps down, 480 Mbps up, 4ms latency.

Results: Download Speed

NordVPN (NordLynx): 890 Mbps (95% of base) — fastest VPN tested. Surfshark (WireGuard): 810 Mbps (86% of base) — excellent performance. Avast SecureLine (WireGuard): 650 Mbps (69% of base) — good for a bundled VPN. AVG Secure VPN (OpenVPN): 420 Mbps (45% of base) — significant speed reduction. Norton Secure VPN (OpenVPN): 380 Mbps (40% of base) — slowest tested. The results show a clear gap between dedicated VPN providers using WireGuard/NordLynx and bundled VPNs using older protocols.

Results: Latency

NordVPN: +5ms (9ms total) — minimal impact. Surfshark: +8ms (12ms total) — good for gaming. Avast: +15ms (19ms total) — acceptable. AVG: +22ms (26ms total) — noticeable in competitive gaming. Norton: +25ms (29ms total) — not recommended for latency-sensitive use. For gaming and video calls, NordVPN and Surfshark are the clear winners with sub-15ms latency additions.

Key Takeaways

Protocol choice matters more than anything else. VPNs using WireGuard or NordLynx consistently deliver 85-95% of base speed. VPNs stuck on OpenVPN deliver only 40-70%. If speed is your priority, NordVPN's NordLynx protocol is the fastest option. Surfshark's WireGuard implementation is a close second at a lower price point. Bundled VPNs (Norton, AVG) sacrifice significant speed for the convenience of an all-in-one suite.

Recommended Providers

NordVPN

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Avast One

Best free antivirus with VPN included

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Norton 360

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AVG Secure VPN

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FAQ

Which is the fastest VPN?: NordVPN with NordLynx protocol is the fastest VPN we tested, retaining 95% of base speed (890 Mbps on a 940 Mbps connection). Surfshark with WireGuard is second at 86% (810 Mbps). Both are fast enough for 4K streaming and competitive gaming.
Does WireGuard make a VPN faster?: Yes. WireGuard is significantly faster than older protocols like OpenVPN. In our tests, WireGuard-based VPNs retained 69-95% of base speed, while OpenVPN-based VPNs retained only 40-45%. WireGuard achieves this through a simpler codebase and more efficient cryptographic primitives.